An engaged employee Mohamed Mamow, left, was joined by his employer in saying the Pledge of Allegiance as he became a U.S. citizen. Mamow and his wife met in a Somali refugee camp and now are parents of five children, whom he supports by working as a machine operator. Mindful of his responsibility—“I don’t like to lose my job. I have a responsibility for my children and my family”—he arrives for work a half hour early and tends to every detail on his shift. “He is an extremely hard-working employee,” noted his employer, and “a reminder to all of us that we are really blessed” (Roelofs, 2010).

Darren Breen/The Grand Rapids Press//Landov